Category: Triumph Motorcycles

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride – Wollongong has more than tripled its inaugural total. Fundraising closed on October 31 and the official figure raised is $65,215, compared to $20,568 in 2017.

On September 30, scores of dapper ladies and gents donned their finest attire aboard classic and vintage motorcycles. The annual event raises funds to support research into prostate cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention programs via the Movember Foundation.

1959 marked the beginning of a cultural explosion and the birth of a new attitude to live life to the full; an attitude that inspired a revolution in music, art, and culture, from rock ’n’ roll to Andy Warhol. This hard-won freedom of expression created the world we live in today and still shapes the culture that surrounds us.

The original, iconic ’59 Triumph Bonneville encapsulated this spirit and passion for life, and inspired legions of riders, from movie stars to teenage café racers, and a whole motorcycle movement.

It’s a spirit that lives on in every Triumph Modern Classic…

For the chance to WIN one of these iconic Modern Classic bikes, all you need to do is complete a Modern Classic test ride at City Coast Motorcycles between October 1 and December 15, 2018.

Call Paul or Tim on 4228 7392 to book your test ride or drop in to 262 Keira Street, Wollongong.

Share the Spirit

Don’t forget to take a photo of yourself on the bike you test ride and post the pic to one of your social media accounts with the hashtags
#Spiritof59 and #citycoastmotorcycles

Our heart-felt thanks to every rider, volunteer and sponsor for making our second Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride unforgettable. Together we have forged new friendships, raised awareness for men’s health and more than tripled last year’s fundraising for prostate cancer and male suicide prevention. And a fine way to do it, too.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride – Wollongong hosted by City Coast Motorcycles will return on Sunday the 30th of September. Scores of dapper ladies and gents will don their finest attire and pack their manners aboard classic and vintage motorcycles.

The annual event is part of a global sensation, shining the spotlight on men’s health in over 650 cities across 95 countries on the same day. With close to one million men losing their lives annually from suicide and prostate cancer, riders raise funds and awareness on behalf of the official charity partner, The Movember Foundation.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride was founded in Sydney by Mark Hawwa. It was inspired by a photo of Mad Men’s Don Draper astride a classic bike and wearing his finest suit. Mark decided a themed ride would be a great way to combat the often-negative stereotype of men on motorcycles, whilst connecting niche motorcycle communities together. His brainchild has already raised over $13M USD for men’s health.

Wollongong is preparing for its second year. In 2017 there were 172 registrations and $20,568 was raised. Ride organiser Jane Sim from City Coast Motorcycles is confident participants will be able to double that amount on September 30.

“I could not have been prouder of our inaugural event last year. The riding community embraced the event whole-heartedly. The smiles were broad, the bikes were brilliant and I was really affected by the comradery.

“It was wonderful to see new friendships formed in the name of charity. We had under-estimated the numbers and ended up having to cap the registrations!

“I have worked closely with Wollongong City Council and the Wollongong LAC and secured larger venues to accommodate more dapper riders and their steeds,” Jane said.

In keeping with the classic lines of Don Draper’s 1957 Matchless G3LS, The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a niche charity event with gentlefolk riding their Cafe’ Racer, Bobber, Classic, Tracker, Scrambler, Old School Chopper, Modern Classic, Sidecar, Classic Scooter and Brat styled motorcycles. Participants spend months perfecting the look of both their bikes and their costumes.

If you ride a vintage or classic styled motorcycle and wish to participate or would like to make a donation to the Wollongong Ride please register via this link:

We tested the all new Triumph Tiger 1200 and 800 and loved them so much we’re bringing 12 to Wollongong for YOU to try!

Join City Coast Motorcycles on Saturday July the 21st for our TIGER Demo Day. Choose from the Triumph Tiger 800 XCa, Tiger 800 XRt, Tiger 1200 XCa or Tiger XRt and ride with our group on a road and off-road combo.

Bookings are essential – please register your interest below.

Tiger 800 XC and XR RangeOne of Triumph’s best-loved motorcycles, the new Tiger 800 family takes this celebrated range to a whole new level. Incorporating around 200 upgrades per model, including the highest ever level of technology, more capability, enhanced ergonomics, and a lower ratio 1st gear and more responsive power delivery from the latest generation engine, these adventure motorcycles are better in every way, off road and on.

Tiger 1200 XC and XR Range
Triumph’s top Adventure motorcycle family has evolved. It’s significantly lighter, by up to 11kg, with 100 improvements including a major engine update giving more immediate power, enhanced technology to include; adaptive cornering lighting within a full LED set-up, full colour TFT display, 6 riding modes, back-lit switchgear, Triumph Shift Assist, keyless ignition, new ergonomics and more distinctive styling. They’re built for epic adventures.

City Coast Motorcycles Tiger Demo Day

Fill out the form below to register your interest and we will be in contact to confirm your booking time.

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Phone number *

Please select your first model preference *

Please select your second model preference (optional)

Each ride is anticipated to take over one hour. Please indicate your preferred departure time

“In this sumptuous story of exploration and breaking boundaries, a young girl uncovers her very own freedom machine vehicle that carries her to all kinds of wondrous places.”

How old were you when you started riding?

My first ride was probably on a postie or dirt bike on the farm up in the Highlands where we were raised. We were always around bikes as kids, one of my earliest memories is sitting on top of Dad’s BSA, polishing as far as my arms would reach while he’d be working on it. Dad loves classic racers; he’s owned Triumphs, BSAs, Nortons, Matchless and Ducatis. Pop and my brother have always had motorbikes too. Their love for life on two wheels has definitely influenced my own.

What was your first motorcycle and where did you ride it?

I picked up my first road bike on Valentine’s Day, a red Ducati Monster 659 named Valentino. I’d only been living in the Illawarra a little while, and my Duc took me up and down the coast as I learnt to ride. There were lots of National Park runs, rides up Keira, down Kembla, to Berry or further south and up to Bald Hill.

What wheels do you have now?

I’m currently riding a very charming 2013 Triumph Thruxton 900 named Knox. I went in to pick up a helmet and had the guys at City Coast Motorcycles hand me the keys and tell me to take it for a spin. It was love at first braap, and has been ever since.

Kirli’s beloved Triumph Thruxton 900

What has been your most memorable motorcycling experience to date?

For me every ride is a memorable experience, there’s a really strong and encouraging motorcycling community in the Illawarra and I often ride with my motofam, the Illawarra Café Racers or The Litas Wollongong. We’re blessed with so many beautiful coastal roads here. The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride last year though was superb, really well organized and for such a great cause. I’m excited for this year’s one. In partnership with City Coast Motorcycles and The North Wollongong Hotel, The Litas held a Santa Pub Crawl Charity Ride. It was fun riding across the Sea Cliff bridge in Santa suits and raising money for a local cause. We’re really grateful to be supported by local businesses.

Motorbikes have been like ‘a rock’ to you. Can you share with us how they have helped you?

I remember dad saying that you don’t see motorcycles out the front of psychologist’s offices, and you know I think he was onto something. I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression just before I bought my first bike and I found that riding really helped me to be mindful, to spend time close to Mother Earth and to be around good people. It’s amazing the type of healing a bike can provide. If ever I’m stuck a ride on my bike really contextualizes things for me. I always return with a heart full of gratitude.

How did the idea for The Incredible Freedom Machines come about?

The Incredible Freedom Machines tells the story of a little girl and her adventures with her Freedom Machine. For me, this book is a metaphor for my own adventures on Valentino. The day that I wrote it, I’d been riding through the National Park, and along the coast before arriving in Keiraville for a cup of tea. I wrote the whole manuscript in one sitting, sent it to Matt Ottley, one of Australia’s best illustrators with the email subject: ‘Be my Illustrator?’ and was absolutely flawed when he sent it to my now editor at Scholastic.

Valentino: Kirli’s first road bike

What age group isThe Incredible Freedom Machines pitched at?

This book could be read to Preschoolers or analyzed for literary studies in High School, though the primary teacher in me sees it being loved dearly by Primary students. The illustrations (which I can take no credit for) are the most divine creations, I couldn’t have dreamt them better.

This book is getting excellent early reviews. What do you have planned next?

Thank you! It’s really exciting seeing it hitting shelves. The Incredible Freedom Machines has been selected for presentation at the largest Children’s book fair in the world, Bologna Book Fair (May 2018). It’ll be pitched there to hopefully be published in other languages.

It’s also being presented as a part of The Sound of Picture Books in Fremantle, where an accompanying orchestral piece will be played by the Perth Symphony Orchestra as Matt Ottley (The Illustrator) draws and I narrate for school audiences. I’ll be Writer In Residence at Bundanon Trust in August for Book Week, sharing The Incredible Freedom Machines with local schools.

My second book, Our Dreaming is being illustrated at the moment by Dub Leffler and will be out in June 2019. I’ve also got two more manuscripts under consideration with Scholastic at the moment and have been working on a poetry collection as well titled Mother, Earth Child, Lover.

Kirli’s second book, Our Dreaming will be released in June next year

Can you tell us about your work at Red Room Poetry?

Red Room Poetry is a NFP that aims to make poetry a meaningful part of everyday life. I manage Red Room’s Poetic Learning programs, connecting contemporary poets with 450+ education communities across Australia & New Zealand. I am also the First Nations Cultural Liaison at Red Room. I’ve developed a program titled, “Poetry in First Languages” that sees First Nations poets create and publish poems in First Languages with Elders and Custodians while also supporting students on country to do the same. As a proud Gunai woman with ties to lots of east coast nations, seeing First Nations students use language to express themselves creatively is really powerful. This year we’re leading workshops on Gundungurra, Dharawal, Gadigal, Bundjalung and Yuin Nations with local communities.

You are a co-founder of the Litas Wollongong branch which is part of a worldwide, all-female, social riding collective. How is it going?

The Litas are a group of phenomenal women riding and thriving all around the world, I feel really honored to be a part of the crew and even more so to have helped start a movement in Wollongong with Sari Lokollo and Jessica Knight (the other Co-Founders). I’ve been so flat out of late that I haven’t had a chance to get along to many of the rides, but there’s always ride outs, camp outs and wrench nights happening. I encourage all female motorcycle riders of all skill levels in the Illawarra and surrounds to get involved.

“The Litas are a group of phenomenal women riding and thriving all around the world.”

Do you have any advice for women getting involved in riding?

My advice is to absolutely do it. Buy the bike, buy the leathers and start your adventures. Riding motorcycles has helped me develop confidence and independence in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

I’d suggest researching widely and finding a bike suited to your style, build and ability. Getting some quality, well-fitting protective gear is also paramount. My other advice would be to join The Litas or another club of riders, or ride with some more experiences friends, follow their lines and take their tips on board. Like all new ventures, you must do it often in all conditions and practice practice, practice.

We think the Illawarra boasts some of the best moto daytrips in Australia. Do you have a favourite?

There’s so many great rides around the Illawarra. I do love a cheeky braaap to Bald Hill and back; I think this one is best during the week or even in the evening when the road is a little quieter. I also love extending that ride into the National Park.

Riding up Mount Keira and down Kembla with lunch at the pub is always a good time. Heading out the back of Jamberoo, finishing in Kiama or heading to Berry is delightful too. You can’t go wrong with a ride up the Macquarie Pass up into the Highlands either.

Overall though, I love cutting along the Upper Kangaroo Valley River, to the suspension bridge. That spot is all kinds of magic.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to Lord Mayor Cr Gordon Bradbery and Wollongong City Council, Senior Constable Andrew Cotton and Wollongong LAC, Triumph Motorcycles Australia, 96.5 Wave FM, The Illawarra Mercury, North Wollongong Hotel, Young Henrys, John Keogh, Michael Jobson and all of our volunteers who helped Jane and the City Coast Motorcycles crew make the day possible.

And thanks to each and every rider for joining us in this remarkable event; we can’t wait to dress dapper and do it all again in 2018!